The City Under Central (Edward Elric x Reader)

Part 1

The city underneath Central was probably the most devastating place Edward Elric had ever laid eyes on. He knew that it was a ghost city; its people having disappeared for a purpose that made him too sick to even think about.

So, instead, he focused on finding you.

You were one of Edward's dearest friends. You grew up alongside Winry, mostly because Ed and Al were almost always gone, helping her with her mechanics and Pinako with cooking. Your parents both lived a short distance away from the Rockbell's and were respected doctors like hers, except yours used alchemy. However, unlike Winry's parents, they survived the Ishvalan War and came home bearing the bad news of the Rockbell's deaths.

Little did they know that you had some news of your own.

Edward and Alphonse, while they were away, attempted human transmutation; one of the biggest taboos amongst alchemists. Your parents had helped the Elric brothers progress in alchemy somewhat once their father left them, and they always emphasized how horrible the mistake would be if done.

After your parents left for the war, the Elrics found a new teacher and did the transmutation anyways. It failed. They burnt their house and left to return their bodies to the way they once were.

You didn't see him for many years, even when he visited Winry at her house. It was as if he avoided you, but it was probably more like he was avoiding your parents instead.

However, you recently got to travel with your parents to Lior, where they had offered to help heal the wounds of the many injured citizens that were attacked in cold blood. Lior had been suffering from a rebellion and you knew that Ed would have to go to aid since he was a "dog of the military". Though the conditions were awful and the atmosphere was filled with chaos, you were worried that this might be one of the only chances you had left to talk with your past friend. You could feel it.

You never had the chance. Once you got there, your parents sent you to see the "Holy Mother"; someone around your age who was praised very highly by the citizens of Lior, but was apparently a mute. You learned her name, Rose, and learned of what happened to her in order to cause her mutism. How she stood up against the military to protect her people. How she was severely punished, so traumatic that it resulted with Rose's pregnancy and Rose's baby. All the words were translated by Rose's assistant, Lyra, who acted as her tongue. You grew to trust them both.

Finally, one day, your predictions came true: Edward appeared. He was extremely surprised to see you at first, but not happy like you expected. He kept babbling on and on about how you needed to get away, that the entire city was in danger. He told both you and Rose to leave. He explained the plot of a terrible scheme that resulted in the creation of a Philosopher's Stone. He explained how the military soldiers that were going to swarm the city were the key ingredients in the Philosopher's Stone. Lastly, he explained that it was the criminal, Scar, who thought of this plan. It was so horrible; you could hardly stand up straight.

Ed knew that nothing he could do would be able to stop this, so instead he decided to help Scar evacuate the citizens from the city. You refused to leave until you knew that your parents were safe. Once Ed assured you that your parents were safe, you left with Rose, her baby, and Lyra.

Before you reached the outskirts of the city, Wrath and Sloth attacked your small party down in the tunnels underneath Lior. Ed was almost beaten, but Rose encouraged him to get on his feet and move forward.

The three of you escaped.

That was the last Edward saw of you before the giant transmutation circle around Lior burst into effect, trapping the soldiers inside and sucking them into a Philosopher's Stone.

Now, after finally defeating Sloth, Edward managed to travel under Central to the city underneath. He trekked through the abandoned streets, searching intently for anything unusual. He gazed around at the crumbling buildings, the broken windows, the faded colors and wondered silently how the city looked when it was alive.

Suddenly, he stopped. He heard faraway music, echoing through the musty air and filling the atmosphere with the mysterious sound. He swiveled around, trying to pinpoint the direction from which it came, and ran towards it. He knew in his gut that the music was where he needed to be.

He ran across the cracked pavement of the streets and zigzagged between the buildings and around corners. The music grew louder as he drew closer to its source. Finally, he reached a large, fancy building made out of marble. The music was coming from the inside, sounding like a waltz of some sort. He slowly climbed the huge stone steps and paused in front of the wooden doors that stood between him and whatever was inside. With a deep breath, he pushed the doors open.

The breath caught in his throat as he took in the massive ballroom. The music ricocheted off the walls, filling his ears with a mysterious melody and he noticed a platform with large, velvet curtains all the way towards the back of the room.

Movement caught his eye and he noticed a figure waltzing across the middle of the smooth floor, swaying to the music with fluid motions. He did a double take as he realized who the figure was.

"(Y/N)?"

His voiced echoed across the room. As soon as it reached your ears, you stopped moving and turned. You saw him standing in the entrance, staring at you in disbelief. You smiled and walked towards him, happiness flooding into your heart. Edward Elric. He was the one you were waiting for. The one you loved.